Word Balloon Comic Books Podcast

ep 370 Old Time Radio Superheroes With Steve Darnall

Writer and radio broadcaster Steve Darnall joins us to talk
about his past works in comics. Steve worked in the fringe genres
as the comics market struggled to survive after the speculation era
went bust. You'll hear about his collaboration with Alex Ross on
the 2 part UNCLE SAM prestige series , to his parody of classic
romance comics for Slave Labor Graphics and his own companmy Funny
Valentine.

We also talk about Steve's current job hosting 2 radio shows which
present classic Old Time Radio programs Those Were The Days and
Yesterday USA, where he puts a historical context while presenting
dramas comedies and documentaries made from the 1930s-1950s. As
opposed to a nostalgic "Remember When" angle that older hosts use
for a geritatric audience, Steve's show is one of discovery for a
younger generation who come to these programs with a fresh
perspective.

Then we talk about the radio superheroes some of which predate the
1938 debut of Superman. Darnall talks about the origins of The Lone
Ranger and Green Hornet, created by Detroit radio station WXYZ
owner Geoge W Trendle and writer Fran Striker. We also look at the
1940 Superman radio serial. You'll learn how many of the common
phrases and plot points of the comics originated on radio like
Jimmy Olson, kryptonite, and the infamous lines from
Metropolis citizens "Look, up in the sky ..." .